Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Lhasa Apso Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction
- Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview
- Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier
- Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier
- Temperament of the Lhasa Apso Versus the West Highland White Terrier
- Price of Lhasa Apso versus Price of West Highland White Terrier
- Adopting the Lhasa Apso versus Adopting the West Highland White Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso versus the Intelligence of the West Highland White Terrier
- The Popularity of Lhasa Apso versus Popularity of West Highland White Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier
- Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than West Highland White Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the West Highland White Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Lhasa Apso or the West Highland White Terrier?
- Does the Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?
- Do Lhasa Apsos Bark and Howl? What about West Highland White Terriers?
- Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. West Highland White Terrier
- Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lhasa Apso or the West Highland White Terrier?
- Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and West Highland White Terriers?
- Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lhasa Apso
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the West Highland White Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Lhasa Apso Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Lhasa Apso and for the West Highland White Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Lhasa Apso or the West Highland White Terrier.
Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso is a tiny-sized dog while the West Highland White Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Lhasa Apso belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, the West Highland White Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Lhasa Apso to the West Highland White Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier
| Factor | Lhasa Apso | West Highland White Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 12 to 15 pounds | 13 to 22 pounds |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1780 | $2220 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $1996 | $1600 – $2700 |
| Temperament Score | 70.4 percent | 89.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 71 | 41 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 68 | 47 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lhasa Apso in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the West Highland White Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Lhasa Apso is 79 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the West Highland White Terrier is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the West Highland White Terrier is a better pet than the Lhasa Apso. So, you should get the West Highland White Terrier!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier
The Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier.
Lhasa Apsos weigh 12 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Lhasa Apsos are 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, West Highland White Terriers weigh 13 to 22 pounds when fully grown. West Highland White Terriers are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier
The lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is 14.0 years.
West Highland White Terriers live longer than Lhasa Apsos.
Temperament of the Lhasa Apso Versus the West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.
This is because the temperament score for the West Highland White Terrier is 89.7 percent while the temperament score for the Lhasa Apso is 70.4 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 70.4 percent, the Lhasa Apso has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 89.7 percent, the West Highland White Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 27 Lhasa Apsos and 68 West Highland White Terriers.
Price of Lhasa Apso versus Price of West Highland White Terrier
The average price of the Lhasa Apso puppy is $1780. The price of the Lhasa Apso typically ranges from $1500 – $1996. However, the price of a Lhasa Apso can be as low as $200 and as high as $3499. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 104 Lhasa Apso puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the West Highland White Terrier puppy is $2220. The price of the West Highland White Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2700. However, the price of the West Highland White Terrier can be as low as $600 and as high as $3999. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 103 West Highland White Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The West Highland White Terrier is more expensive than the Lhasa Apso.
| Lhasa Apso | West Highland White Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1780 | $2220 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $1996 | $1600 to $2700 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Lhasa Apso and West Highland White Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Lhasa Apso puppies or how many West Highland White Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Lhasa Apsos. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of West Highland White Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Lhasa Apso puppy or the West Highland White Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Lhasa Apso versus Adopting the West Highland White Terrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lhasa Apsos and many West Highland White Terriers are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Lhasa Apso named Tramp that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Lhasa Apsos like Tramp on pefinder.com.
Also, like Lhasa Apsos, West Highland White Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Harvey is a Male West Highland White Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more West Highland White Terriers like Harvey that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Max is the name of another Lhasa Apso (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Pete is an adorable Male West Highland White Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Lhasa Apsos and West Highland White Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso versus the Intelligence of the West Highland White Terrier
| Lhasa Apso | West Highland White Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 68 out of 130 dog breeds | 47 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Lhasa Apso has an obedience intelligence rank of 68 out of 130 dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Lhasa Apsos tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The West Highland White Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 47 out of 130 dog breeds. The West Highland White Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that West Highland White Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The West Highland White Terrier is more intelligent than the Lhasa Apso.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Lhasa Apso versus Popularity of West Highland White Terrier
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the West Highland White Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Lhasa Apso. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the West Highland White Terrier is 41 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lhasa Apso is 71 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Lhasa Apso
Popularity of West Highland White Terrier
| Year | Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank | West Highland White Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 63 | 36 |
| 2014 | 67 | 38 |
| 2015 | 65 | 41 |
| 2016 | 71 | 41 |
| 2017 | 77 | 42 |
| 2018 | 71 | 42 |
| 2019 | 78 | 44 |
| 2020 | 78 | 44 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier
Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems.
West Highland White Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than West Highland White Terriers?
Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.
West Highland White Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the West Highland White Terrier
Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.
West Highland White Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Lhasa Apso or the West Highland White Terrier?
Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
West Highland White Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?
Lhasa Apsos have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
West Highland White Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Lhasa Apsos Bark and Howl? What about West Highland White Terriers?
Lhasa Apsos are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
West Highland White Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.
West Highland White Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. West Highland White Terrier
Lhasa Apsos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
West Highland White Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Lhasa Apsos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
West Highland White Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lhasa Apso or the West Highland White Terrier?
Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.
West Highland White Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?
Lhasa Apsos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
West Highland White Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and West Highland White Terriers?
Lhasa Apsos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
West Highland White Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?
Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.
West Highland White Terriers are very easy to train.
Is the Lhasa Apso Better for Apartment Owners than the West Highland White Terrier?
Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.
West Highland White Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lhasa Apso or the West Highland White Terrier?
Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.
West Highland White Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lhasa Apso
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lhasa Apso that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Lhasa Apso:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the West Highland White Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the West Highland White Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the West Highland White Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Lhasa Apso and how the West Highland White Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Lhasa Apso and of the West Highland White Terrier to other breeds:
Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds
Lhasa Apso versus Pyredoodle Lhasa Apso versus Black Russian Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Sheepadoodle Lhasa Apso versus Black Russian Terrier Lhasa Apso versus King Shepherd Lhasa Apso versus Tibetan Spaniel Lhasa Apso versus Chi-Poo Lhasa Apso versus Mudi Lhasa Apso versus English Springer Spaniel Lhasa Apso versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Lhasa Apso versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Lhasa Apso versus Chow Chow Lhasa Apso versus Pharaoh Hound Lhasa Apso versus Pyrenean Shepherd Lhasa Apso versus Bullmastiff Lhasa Apso versus Beaglier Lhasa Apso versus Afghan Hound Lhasa Apso versus Boerboel Lhasa Apso versus Patterdale Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Mal Shi Lhasa Apso versus Pyredoodle Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier Lhasa Apso versus Miniature Pinscher Lhasa Apso versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Lhasa Apso versus Cane Corso
West Highland White Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
West Highland White Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound West Highland White Terrier versus Field Spaniel West Highland White Terrier versus Shihpoo West Highland White Terrier versus Puli West Highland White Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog West Highland White Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel West Highland White Terrier versus Siberian Husky West Highland White Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog West Highland White Terrier versus Maltipoo West Highland White Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever West Highland White Terrier versus Mountain Cur West Highland White Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound West Highland White Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog West Highland White Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde West Highland White Terrier versus Bull Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Cairn Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Bulldog West Highland White Terrier versus Frenchton West Highland White Terrier versus Biewer Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Rottweiler West Highland White Terrier versus Cesky Terrier West Highland White Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon West Highland White Terrier versus Siberian Husky West Highland White Terrier versus Saluki West Highland White Terrier versus Maltese
Conclusion: Lhasa Apso versus West Highland White Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Lhasa Apso and the West Highland White Terrier better suits you and your family.